Armagh vs Down: Player ratings from Saturday's Ulster SFC semi-final clash

Source: Belfast Live
Author: Paddy Tierney

Armagh ratings

Blaine Hughes: Got 100 per cent of his kickouts away to an Armagh jersey and made a good save to deny Doherty's initial effort. 7

Paddy Burns: Had an exchange of words with Conor Laverty early on. Tracked James Guinness and also tagged Ceilum Doherty when he came forward. Unlucky final touch for Down's first goal but an otherwise solid display from Burns. 7

Aaron McKay: Armagh's defence leaked as many goals on Sunday as they did throughout the entire League. McKay was harshly penalised for the foul prior to Down's first goal, but was caught in no man's land between Laverty and Doherty. 6.5

Peter McGrane: Picked up an early booking and wasn't able to bomb forward like we've become accustomed to seeing during the League. 6

Joe McElroy: Had a fine battle with Ryan Johnston and came out on top. Held the Kilcoo ace to one point from play and aided the Armagh attack when he could. 7

Ciaran Mackin: Kicked one wide towards the end of the first half and was visibly frustrated at some of Liam Devenney's decisions. Pulled for dissent, but gave his all as ever. 7

Aidan Forker: Took the game by the scuff of the neck with two inspirational points in the first half when Armagh badly needed leadership. 7.5

Rian O'Neill - Star Man: In a game devoid of genuine quality for long periods, Rian O'Neill's moments of brilliance stood out. The Crossmaglen ace has had to be patient to regain a starting berth this season, but he looks to be coming to the boil at the right time of the season and his two points from play were out of the top drawer. 8

Ben Crealey: Struggled to make an impact on the game and was the frist Armagh player called ashore after 47 minutes and could have a fight on his hands to retain a starting berth for the Ulster final. 5

Stefan Campbell: Failed to back up a great performance against Fermanagh and was below his best against Down. Could have been awarded a penalty for a late hit prior to Down's first goal. 5.5

Rory Grugan: The game's top-scorer with 0-5, but all from frees. Rory Grugan wasn't on enough ball for Armagh's liking, but he didn't stop trying to influence the game. 6.5

Oisin Conaty: Kicked a poor wide in the first and had another in the second and failed to score for the second game running. 5

Conor Turbitt: Couldn't get into the game despite some decent runs. Had Finn McElroy for company couldn't shake him off. One wide before half-time was swiftly followed by a booking. 5.5

Andrew Murnin: Made one excellent defence intervention in the second half when his booming fist cleared the danger, but Armagh needed more from him at the other end. 6

Jarly Óg Burns: Like many of his colleagues in the Armagh attack, Burns was often starved of possession, but he wasn't effective when the ball did come his way. 5.5

Subs

Jason Duffy: Looked lively when introduced for Ben Crealey and held his nerve to land a superb winning point. 7

Oisin O'Neill: Claimed a mark which was changed to a free after he was fouled and slotted over for a much-needed Armagh score. 6.5

Darragh McMullen: In for the final 12 minutes and put himself about well as Armagh turned the tide. 6

Aidan Nugent: Kicked an excellent point from play late on when introduced for Conaty. 6.5

Down ratings

John O'Hare : Down would have been on high alert after shipping four goals last year. Lost three restarts but, remarkably, O'Hare didn't have a save to make. 6.5

Peter Fegan: The Burren clubman had a brilliant game on Jarly Óg Burns. Kept on his toes the entire game and made some excellent tackles. 7.5

Ryan McEvoy: Endured a difficult afternoon against Armagh last year, but McEvoy was much better on Saturday. Picked up Rian O'Neill when he moved into full-forward and made an excellent early tackle to strip Conor Turbitt of possession. 7

Ceilum Doherty: Played a much more advanced role and his pace led to Down's first goal, albeit Paddy Burns got the final touch. Not as lively in the second half. 7

Miceal Rooney: Should have landed Down's first point of the second half, but kicked a poor wide when he'd more time. Replaced by Barry O'Hagan after 50 minutes. 6

Pierce Laverty: Conceded a silly foul on Murnin and missed a vital mark in the dying moments. However, Pierce Laverty was also one of Down's best players on the day. Held Murnin scoreless and also had spells on Grugan. 7.5

Shealan Johnston: A real mixed bag from the pacey wing-back. The less said about his first half wide the better, but played an integral role in Down's opening goal. 6.5

Jonny Flynn: Failed to track Rian O'Neill a couple of times in the first half and was called ashore just minutes into the second half. 5.5

Odhran Murdock: Won plenty of possession for the Mournemen, but guilty of overplaying the ball too. Set up Ryan Magill for the opening score. 6.5

Daniel Guinness: Looked to be under strict instructions to recycle the ball in the first half and played with more freedom in the second and scored an excellent point. 7

Ryan Magill: Named in place of Liam Kerr, Ryan Magill dropped in as a sweeper, but pushed forward to great effect and scored 1-1. 7.5

Ryan Johnston: Found the going tough in the first half against Joe McElroy. More involved after the break and took his point well. 6.5

Finn McElroy: In for Barry O'Hagan from the start and did a great man-marking job on Conor Turbitt, holding the Armagh star scoreless. 7.5

Pat Havern: Two wides and another shot dropped into Blaine Hughes's hands in the first half, Havern converted two frees, but could and should have scored more. 5.5

James Guinness: Took a great pass from his brother in the first half, but was dispossessed and was replaced at half-time. 5.5

Subs

Liam Kerr: The Burren star brought a real sense of urgency to Down in the second half and it was his burst through that led to their second goal. 7

Danny Magill: Like Kerr, Magill's pace was much-needed and he took an excellent point from play moments after being sprung from the bench. 7

Barry O'Hagan: Only had 14 minutes to make an impact as injury struck again for the luckless Clonduff man. 6

Oisin Savage: Had the chance to force extra-time, but his effort with the outside of the right boot never threatened the posts. 5.5

Shane Annett: Not on long enough to be rated.

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